The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-08
A RELENTLESS MAJORITY.

A RELENTLESS MAJORITY.
Scenes and Incidents In the Senate Attend
Ing High-Handed Proceedings.
The brute force OF the Senate's Democratic
majority in mercilessly crushing out any ex-
preston of the minority, and in the cold blood Of
desperate determination, throttling appealing
Justice pursued its devilish will to the utmost
yesterday A few politicians, infatuated with
the spirit of might makes right, were gleeful
spectators of the high-handed proceedings
"Ah, you must take your medicine" was the
vulgar greeting they frequently gave party op-
ponents. and when ruling vote, perhaps
more arbitrary than any Of this majoritys long
record Of crime against constitutional, statutory
and parliamentary law occurred, these claaue
for political criminals could hardly restrain
themselves from cheering "That is good some
debased political trickster would remark as
Smith, from Jennings, continued his brutal
slugging of helpless minority. These lawless
acts Of lawless crowd were witnessed by packed
galleries with the privileged spectators encroach
ing on the Senate floor. For time, yesterday
morning, Senator Voorhees,, Congressman Mat
son and Rynum, John E. Lamb, r. J. Bright and
others, were in the Senate receiving recognition
ers Senator Bailey, who is an expert in getting
under the shadow of distinction espied Senator
Voorhees, coming through the cloak-room. With
as mach readiness as if the United States Sena-
tor had overpowered him with persons l magnet
Ism, the Marion county Senator stepped rapidly
across the floor and welcomed the distinguished
Democrat Senator Bailey took the prize into
BIS own keeping, and gave him seat at his SIDE
Mr.. Voorhees, remained half an hour, and then
departed with the obsequious escort Of Senator
Bailey 1t Is surmsed tina. the presence of the
greater Senator required TO give Smith,
from Jennings public Endorsement of his
style Of parliamentary smuggling. 1t was OBJ
servable strong similarity in the tactics of the
Democratic Representatives and the Demo
cratic Senator'S except the former adjusted
their work to Offset a majority by dilatory mo-
tions and dashes of flibustering projects
1t was two or three minutes after 10 o'clock
yesterday morning before Smith, of Jennings.
thought it worth while to ascend to the place he
has usurped to call the Senate to order After
brief season OF prayer, which is thrown away
on the majority of that body Smith began the
arbitrary exercise of stolen prerogatives and
power Thursdays record in its reading prom
wanted to correct during the progress of the
reading. Senator Winter read Jefferson on
such proceeding but Smith not only ruled
Senator Winter down, but, virtually, Jeffersons
manual out of order. The correction related to
the previous question in regard to the resolu-
tion that declared Smith President of the Sen
ate. Senator Campbell also took part in the
argument, but it was Intellectual. That portion
of the minutes recording the organization of
the Senate all that the Democratic majority
wanted, and at its completion Senator Sellers
stood ready with a motion to dispense with the
rest of it. Smith pushed the motion
through before the minority had time
to take breath. 1t was rasping to
his Importance when Senator Campbell immedi-
ately afterwards introduced resolution to take
from him his stolen title Evidently the Demo
Gratis did not expect it, or the resolution would
have been shut out, as others of anticipated
political character had been. This resolution
wanted president pro tenn" in the record oblit-
Grated and the Senator from Jennings placed after
Smiths name. For second the majority did
not know how to meet it, until the available
Senator Bailey moved to lay the resolution on
the table Senator Mcdonald, of Whitley, pre-
ceding this, wanted the record considered as
matter of unmpeachable history, but Senator
Campbell did not want it that way. He advised
the Democrats that they were laying up fol-
themselves two-edged sword but it did not
shake them In their blind obstinacy in tabline
the resolution strict party vote, on a call oil
the yeas and nays. This is the single privilege
granted the minority In political action. 81
the Republicans want US to &c record. al
right say the ravaging majority. SIN fol-
penny In for pound, is every
nervr thiefs motto" Senator Mcdonald O
Whitley, thought it worth while to explain hi
affirmative vote. He believed il to be hist orica
matter and therefore could not vote otherwise
The Democratic Senators have about as mucl
MS their intellects can attend to in keeping OF
the alert to strange the minority when it ha
something to offer suggestive of danger. But i
is done without remorse and with no dread o
consequences, except those thai might follow
meeting with the House for any purpose. Ever!
message from that body is watched with tn
keenness that keeps the robber awake when b
Is lodging the police. Therefore the Senate ma
1ority has determined not to unite with tn
hopse for any purpose, whether that act IS IN,
posed by tho Constitution, statute or courtesy
Senator Johnson of WAYNE, has heen restiv
under the arrangement that placed Er
In the far southwest corner o
inc chamber Olher Republicans Jared as badly
especially Senator Denote, OF Porter 1t wa
done by the State Librarian. and the Democrat
claim that 1t is the custom for Senators t
take the rear seats, as they come forward in tn
-axt session as hold-over Senators. Senate
johnson. offered resolution looking to a reseat
ing by q con}In,,,,.c Of the Senate. 1t require
"" hours to dispose OF tns. As shree OF the nes
democratic Senator'S assisted t.s "ihorlly
senator Mulllnix, of Greene, led this nrSs otoa
AZ lhe democratic majority. and, altholsf y
claimed the passage Of the resolution, because
was one OF fairness and right" Senator Bale,
qua not stop long in reaching the somewhat re
Iractory Senator, who said that as the ouesto,
was not political one he would vote for IT, bu
ne i served notice on tho Republicans iha, he wa
an Incorporating Democrat and on al
measures OF politics he would vote with hi
party 1t was shown in this debate that lie